THE MANY LOVES OF ANA CASTILLO coincides with the release of Ana’s latest novel, Dona Cleanwell Leaves Home. This collection of short stories explores the secrets kept within households and the women they impact the most in this breakout collection that cements Ana’s place as a leading voice in feminist fiction.

Artist Statement

Whether dancing cats or a girl with a dove dress series may evolve solely from a desire to try variations of a theme. Subjects, as with writing poetry or stories, while personal also, I believe evoke the entire universe My immediate environment–quail, turtles, dogs, insects are turn up on paper All manner of creatures and human figures, past, present, around the globe and from beyond—appear. The sun, moon and stars that give us light are also everpresent. Water sources, air and fertile soil are in peril. How will we survive without the elements and natural resources that sustain us?

At times, I go within, inside where emotions from experiences dwell. They manifest in symbols, divine figures, hybrid creatures. My hand moves with the memory, love and respect I’ve had for Mexican artisans and I draw Trees of Life, Talavera ceramic designs, or pre- Hispanic symbols like the Monkey Mambo series. As a student, a long time ago, I was captivated by Beardsley’s style and I attempted a few drawings then with India ink and fountain pen. Left handed, using pen and ink always presents the challenge of potential smears. Today, Today, Sharpie pens work fine. Whether it was Beardsley’s spirit revisiting me or a desire to occupy the hours with a task that required dedication while producing calmness within but also finally, a pleasant object, once I began in summer, 2015, I’ve not stopped.